THE FIELD
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Lacrosse is played on a field approximately the size of a football field: 110 yards long by 60 yards wide. Beginning in the 2014 the NFHS approved the increased size of the substitution area (box area), from 10 yards wide to 20 yards wide to accommodate the new rule change of no horn substitutions. The goals are 6 feet square and are placed in a crease, which is a circle with a 9-foot radius. Offensive players are not allowed in the crease at any time during the game.
THE GAME
The fastest game on two feet ... a combination of the speed of basketball and physicality most similar to hockey ... a game in which a scoring opportunity on one end of the field can be transformed into a goal at the other end in a matter of seconds ... skill, power, speed, endurance and intelligence ... This Is Lacrosse.
Originally called baggataway, lacrosse was played by Native Americans for a variety of purposes: religious rituals, training of warriors, or to settle inter-tribal disputes. Often the games were played without any boundaries and with goals separated by many miles. It was not unusual to have players injured or killed during baggataway contests. The game acquired its present name because the sticks originally resembled the staffs, or croziers, carried by the French Jesuit missionaries who first observed the game. Thus, we have lacrosse.
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PUMA LACROSSE EQUIPMENT!
THE EQUIPMENT
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All players must wear helmets, shoulder pads, gloves and mouthpieces. Full arm pads or arm guards are usually worn by middies and attackmen with defenseman using a smaller set of pads typically called elbow pads, and rib pads have also become popular with offensive players in more recent times. In addition, goalies wear a chest protector and a throat protector.
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The sticks used are generally made of molded plastic with either a nylon mesh (various types) or a leather and nylon woven pocket (called traditional), with either an aluminum, titanium or alloy handle and even some form of wood (hickory). The sticks vary in length from 40 to 72 inches, depending upon the position played.
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Sticks can be ruled illegal for either a deep pocket or an illegal crosse; to narrow acrosse the top of the stick (head of the stick) or to short in stick length. A deep pocket brings a 1-minute non-releasable penalty and stick is allowed to be fixed after the penalty time is served. An illegal crosse brings a 3-minute non-releasable penalty, this crosse is not allowed back in the field of play for the remainder of the game.
All players need cleats and mouthpieces for practice and games.
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For first year players we recommend purchasing a starter kit which includes shoulder pads, elbow pads and gloves.
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Players will also need a helmet and a stick.
Depending on the position they play they will need an attack/midfield, defense or goalie stick.
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We recommend your son waiting to figure out the stick he will need until after the first week. Puma Lacrosse has sticks they can use until they make their decision.
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Here are some sites to check out gear. Puma Lacrosse does not endorse or support nor receive financial gain from these companies.
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LACROSSE POSITIONS
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Defender: Lacrosse defenders protect the goal. It is their job, together with the goalie, to make sure the opponent does not score a goal. Defenders often use a longer lacrosse stick to allow them to block or deflect passes and shots. They must try to stay between the attacker and the goal and prevent the attacker from getting off a clean shot on goal. Working together and communication with other defenders is key in forming a good defense.
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Midfielders: The midfielders are allowed to play over the entire Lacrosse field. They play both offense and defense. A good midfielder must have speed and endurance. One of the main tasks for midfielders is transition. That is moving the ball from defense to offense quickly in order to create an advantage on offense. Midfielders also are responsible in making sure the team doesn't get called for offsides when transitioning. Midfielders are sometimes call "middies".
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Attackers: Lacrosse attackers are responsible for scoring goals. There are three attackers on each lacrosse team. They stay on the offensive side of the field, receive the ball from the midfielders in transition, and move the ball into scoring position. Attackers must have superior skills with the lacrosse stick in shooting, passing, and protecting the ball from defenders. Attackers use fakes, passes, plays and other moves to get off clean shots on goal. They must work together to outwit and outplay the defenders and goalie.
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Goal Keeper: The goalie is one of the most important positions in lacrosse. They are the last line of defense and must keep the opponent from scoring a goal. The goalie has an area around the goal, called the crease, where only they (and their fellow defenders) can go. Typically the goalie remains in the crease and near the goal, however, sometimes the goalie needs to come out of the crease as well. The goalie must have very quick hands and tremendous hand-eye coordination. A lacrosse goalie must also be very tough as they will be hit by the ball at high speeds many times during a game. The goalie must also be a good leader in order to direct the defenders and organize the defense.
Players are substituted throughout the game. Midfielders are often substituted in lines like in ice hockey because they run so much and need to rest. Sometimes there is a player that is really good at face-offs, so they will play the face-off and then immediately get substituted for another player.